Ember (THG Mockingjay sequel)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4-

In the weeks later, food becomes scarce, the mines open,grandma comes home, people die a lot. This is my world now. Mom, Gale, Pine and I all hunt in order to keep the families going. More people take tesserae, I see them as we walk by the justice building, collecting their food in exchange for a better chance of being picked for death. It is not a nice place. People are hung in the square, whipped, and shot on sight. My job of keeping Barler shielded becomes harder with each hour. Sometimes we walk in town and he asks what the people in line are waiting for. I think their death, but say nothing.

Soon it is time for the reaping. My mother has become frantic and stressed, about to explode. Dad has been keeping himself busy by selling bread and pastries at the bakery. He cooks his worries away.

I came home early with a haul good enough for a celebratory dinner after the reaping.

"We're home!" I shout.

"Thank goodness!" my mother cries and pulls me into her arms and takes the meat. "Good job guys." she brings them into the kitchen and puts them down. Then she pulls me by my arm upstairs to my room. "I want to show you your reaping outfit." I nod and she pulls out a plain white blouse and gray skirt.

"It was my first reaping outfit, and your aunts too. She was the last to wear it." I look at it admiringly. It was plain, but I saw so much more in it.

"It's beautiful." I whisper just enough for her to hear. She places it on the bed.

"Get changed now." She kisses me on the head and leaves. I stare at it for a while, then I change. My hair is brushed out and I walk downstairs. Everyone falls silent. I walk to mom and she says,

"You look beautiful." I nod slightly. She takes my hair and her fingers form it into a delicate braid.

"Your grandma taught me this braid." she tells me.

"It's really pretty." I say. She smiles with tears in her eyes. Then the bell rings for the reaping. I grab Barler by the hand and drag him along. He skips happily. I hand Barler to dad and am about to check in when I stop.

"Sweetie? Whats wrong?" my mom asks.

"I can't do it." I say hoarsely.

"Yes you can."

"No. I can't." I start to cry and cover my face with my hands. She bends down and grabs my wrists, pulling them from my face.

"Prim. Stop. You can do it. The needle doesnt hurt a bit. All you have to do is walk in there, check in, wait, listen to the lady, and watch the people get picked. Then we'll go home and have dinner. And everything will be fine." I shake me head, the tears keep rolling.

"I'm gonna get picked." I say.

"No your not. Your name is only in once."

"So was Aunt Prim's." I stutter. She thinks hard then snaps her fingers and digs into her pocket. She pulls out a pin. "What is it?" I sniff.

"It's a mockingjay pin. The mockingjay is a beautiful gray and white bird with a crest on it's head. It has a beautiful singing voice and can replicate melodies. This pin went with me everywhere since my friend Madge gave it to me. It's the sign of the rebellion. It can keep you safe." she pins it to my shirt of the right side. I wipe my tears away and hug my mom. She hugs me back then lets go.

"Go on." she shoves me forward. I confidently walk into the line. Pine stands in front of me.

"So, are you ready." he asks.

"No."

"Me neither." he hands his finger to the lady who pricks it and he steps to the side. "See you after." he walks to the boy's section. I'm next. I walk forwards and hold my finger out, bracing for the pain. It feels like a little pinch and I jump back. She yanks my finger forward and places it on the paper. Then she let's go and I hold my finger. I make my way to the girls 12 year old area. I notice a few girls from school, but I'm not in the mood for talking. Finally, an old lady wearing a wig, who doesn't look very happy to be here steps up and says,

"Welcome back, to The Hunger Games! Its been gone a while, don't you think? Well, we have a special video, all the way from the Capitol!" She gestures to the screen. It plays a movie about the dark days and the new rebellion. My mom is in this video. At the end she speaks again,

"Now, let's find out which lucky boy and girl will be this years tributes." she blandly says. "Ladies first." She walks to the big glass bowl and reaches her hand in arm length. It digs around there for a while before she clutches a piece of white paper. She pulls it out and takes a deep breath. I'm holding my breath and praying it's not me. She slowly unfolds it. Her mouth starts to form the name.

Primrose Mellark.